New Brunswick government seeks public input on unsealing adoption records

CP

FREDERICTON - The New Brunswick government is seeking public input on a proposal to open more than 100 years of sealed adoption records in the province.

Social Development Minister Madeleine Dube says currently, both the adopted child and the biological parents have to make a request for information before a file is opened.

She says under the government's proposed changes, once an adoptee is 19 years old, the birth parents could request a copy of the adoption order and learn the adoptee's name, while adoptees could seek their original birth registration and the names of their biological parents.

Dube says the information would not require the consent of the other party, but she says before any changes are made, people would have the option to file a disclosure veto to keep their information sealed.

The government has posted a discussion paper and questionnaire online and will gather comments until May 30.